Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Longley, McMahon and Hopes for Anglicanorum Coetibus

The appointment of Bishops Longley, McMahon and Hopes to oversee the implementation of Anglicanorum Coetibus will be good news for many. They are perhaps the three most pastoral bishops in England and Wales, and those most sensitive to the situation of those Anglicans seeking communion.

Presumably Bishop Longley after his elevation will be the chairman. Bishop McMahon is genial and a theologian with insight, being a Dominican, he will be sensitive to the situation of Anglican religious. Bishop Hopes, a former Anglican himself, demonstrates his concern and genuine love for the clergy of Westminster again and again.

The bishops warmly received the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus, and its generosity towards those seeking full visible communion with the Holy See. They established a Commission to consider in detail the next steps in this process in England and Wales. They strongly reaffirmed their continuing commitment to ecumenical relations, working for the unity of his disciples for which Christ prayed (John 17:20-21). In particular, they looked forward to the next regular meeting with the Bishops of the Church of England ever seeking to deepen the shared mission to proclaim the Good News to the society in which we live.

Anglicanorum Coetibus Commission

Responding readily to the provisions of the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum coetibus, the Bishops’ Conference establishes a commission of Bishops and advisers to consider the next steps which may arise in this process.

‘The Commission is therefore available for consultation with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (cf. Anglicanorum coetibus 1§1) and to offer advice and guidance to Diocesan Bishops. Given the faculty for members of an Ordinariate “to maintain the liturgical, spiritual and pastoral traditions of the Anglican Communion within the Catholic Church, as a precious gift nourishing the faith of the members of the Ordinariate and as a treasure to be shared”(Anglicanorum coetibus III), the Commission is to advise the Bishops’ Conference on transitional arrangements for the reception of groups of Anglicans, should such requests arise. The Commission is also to consider those articles of the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum coetibus and the Complementary Norms that refer to the responsibilities of the Bishops’ Conference and to present suggestions for their fulfilment. The Episcopal members of the Commission are to be Archbishop-Elect Bernard Longley, Bishop Malcolm McMahon and Bishop Alan Hopes.’

4 comments:

Let us remember that those who do decide to come over risk losing lifelong friendships and face an uncertain welcome. For those of us brought up as Catholics we may not easily appreciate the courage needed to come over. So let us welcome those who come and be sympathetic to those who remain Anglicans.

Once the Anglican 'Swimming of the Tiber' is complete, that is they ALL return to 'the One True Fold', I wonder where all the £-Zillions of funds owned by the Church Commissioners for England will find a home?

Will all the land, Church buildings and property stolen during the reformation be handed back to the English Catholic Church?

Ubi Petrus, ibi ecclesia, et ubi ecclesia vita eterna

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